our blog

Learn More About The Laws Affecting Your Case

While there’s no substitute for hiring an experienced lawyer, learning about the laws that affect your case is empowering. At Sheridan & Dulas, P.A., we regularly publish blogs about topics such as DUI/DWI, family law, and more. Our goal is to make complex legal topics simple so that you can make informed decisions about your specific case.

First time DWI in Minnesota, twice the legal limit, what should I expect?

A BAC of .16 or higher — double Minnesota's legal limit of .08 — is legally classified as an “aggravating factor,” even on a first offense. This changes the situation in some important ways, but it does not eliminate your options.

Can I refuse a breathalyzer?

You can and should refuse the portable breathalyzer test that is given roadside, before an arrest, that is used to help establish probable cause for your arrest. But if you’ve been arrested for DUI, refusing the breath, blood or urine test at the station or hospital is a separate crime.

Will 1 DUI ruin your life?

Typically, a single DWI does not have to derail your life, even though it can feel that way in the immediate aftermath. A first-time DWI carries real consequences, but with the right strategy, those consequences don't have to define what comes next.

What happens to my car when I get a DUI?

What happens to your car after a DWI arrest depends on the circumstances of your arrest. A DWI also affects how you're permitted to use your vehicle going forward.

What are the phases of a DUI?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) developed a standardized three-phase process that trained officers are expected to follow when investigating a potential DWI.

How to beat a DUI in Minnesota?

Beating a DWI charge in Minnesota is simply a matter of holding the government to its burden of proof. Law enforcement and prosecutors must follow strict legal procedures at every step. When they don't, the evidence against you can be challenged and suppressed, often leading to the case being thrown out entirely.

How much does a DUI cost in MN?

A DWI arrest in Minnesota sets off a chain of expenses that goes well beyond the courtroom fine. For most people, the total cost of a first-time DWI — including fines, fees, required programs, and long-term consequences — lands somewhere between $10,000 and $20,000. Felony-level cases will exceed that significantly.

How much is a DUI fine in MN?

The statutory maximum fine depends on the circumstances of your case. The maximum for a first-offense DWI in Minnesota is $1,000.

Can a first-time DUI be dismissed?

Yes — a first-time DWI in Minnesota can be dismissed, though it depends on the specific facts of your case. Dismissal is not guaranteed, but it is a real outcome that an experienced attorney will pursue. The right attorney will examine every detail of how the arrest and evidence were handled to find opportunities to get the charges dismissed or at a minimum, reduced.

What happens when you get a DUI in MN?

A DWI triggers two separate processes at the same time: a criminal case, and a civil driver's license revocation. Both cases happen automatically, and both require action.